Around 50 protesters swarmed into a section of the terminal building at around 2pm, reports Bristol Live.

The campaigners were looking to raise awareness about the airport's expansion plans and the impact it might have on the environment.

The staged 'die-in' consisted of the group laying down on the terminal floor for about 45 minutes.

around 50 protesters were seen in the airport

One protester dressed as the Grim Reaper walked around the ‘bodies’ placing signs on them which explained how airport pollution had caused their death.

Around a dozen people also made a statement during the action outlining why the public should object to the airport’s plans to expand.

The development would see the transport hub accommodate an additional two million passengers a year.

Airport bosses want up to 12 million passengers a year to use Bristol Airport by 2025 and said expansion was needed to cope with the demand.

Last month the airport submitted a planning application to North Somerset Council which includes proposals for surface-level car parking, a new canopy at the front of the building, an additional multi-storey car park and improvements to the on-site road layout.

No flights were delayed

There are also plans to extend the terminal building to include a larger baggage-handling area, as well as a new immigration area.

And while businesses in the region have welcomed the plans, some think the economic benefits to the area do not outweigh the potential impact on climate change

The protest was coordinated by Green Bristol City councillor Paula O’Rourke, as part of the nationwide ‘Extinction Rebellion’ campaign.

She said the main reason was to raise awareness of the consultation on the project - as it closes in just over a week.

The group was also joined by Green MEP for the South West Molly Scott Cato who describes herself as the ‘no fly’ MEP.

'Climate Change is an utter failure of global solidarity'

The protest was coordinated by Green Bristol City councillor Paula O’Rourke

She addressed the protesters after they had finished a rendition of the Climate Emergency song accompanied by a samba band.

She said: “I think it’s absolutely crucial that those of us who don’t fly tell everybody why we don’t do that,” she said.

“The decision by people in the West and in the richer countries to fly is destroying lives today for people right across the world.

“Climate change is an utter failure of global solidarity. In the UK we are creating the problem.

“We have higher emissions in Britain than in the US.”

The protesters followed the grim reaper

Following her statement, the protesters followed the Grim Reaper in a procession around the airport before heading home.

Bristol Airport described the protest as peaceful and said that all flights to and from the transport hub operated as normal during the action.

A spokesperson added: “Bristol Airport liaised with Avon and Somerset police and the protesters during the protest activity to reduce any impact to travelling passengers.

“We have consulted extensively with local communities and a wide range of stakeholders and their feedback has guided our phased approach to growth, working within current limits wherever possible while ensuring we continue to serve passengers across the South West of the UK and playing a vital role in our region’s economy.

“Developing Bristol Airport will enable more people from the South West to ‘fly local’, reducing the number of road journeys to and from London airports - currently numbering more than seven million a year.

“At the same time, air travel is becoming more carbon efficient, as demonstrated by the fact that less CO2 was emitted by UK aviation in 2017 than in 2005, despite more passengers travelling in 2005.

“Our commitment to be a carbon neutral airport by 2030 also highlights our focus on reducing the impact of our operations on the environment and local communities.”

Have a story in Somerset you'd like to share? Get in touch. Email: tommy.joyce@reachplc.com, ring: 01935 709741, or tweet: @tommyjjourno

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